Chapter 2: Confessions and Rejections

I was late to the farewell party because I had some errands to run for my mum.

Maa had sent me to buy sabzi on the way, and I’d spent too long bargaining with the bhajiwala. By the time I reached the party, sweat already trickled down my back. My shirt was crumpled, and I could still smell the faint trace of coriander on my hands.

When I arrived, I just happened to witness the school heartthrob, Arjun, confessing to Ananya.

The crowd had parted for him like in some filmi scene. Arjun was standing there with a bunch of marigolds—the marigold bouquet looked like it belonged at a temple, not a love confession, but somehow it suited him. His hair gelled, shirt untucked, face shining with confidence and nerves.

He stood there with a bouquet, looking both confident and shy. “Ananya, I’m not great at this, but I don’t want to have any regrets.

“I like you. Will you be my girlfriend?”

His voice trembled slightly, but he stood tall, the kind of moment where the entire batch collectively held their breath.

Our classmates started shouting and cheering them on.

The boys from the cricket team started whistling. “Oye hoye!” someone shouted. Girls were already giggling and whispering, phones out to capture the moment. Everyone wanted a love story for the school WhatsApp group archives.

“Say yes, say yes!”

“Arrey, shaadi card bhej dena, haan!” and “Bhabhi bolo, bhabhi!”

The chants grew louder, some clapping, some teasing. I joined in, a little too enthusiastically, trying to hide the pinch in my chest.

My heart tightened, but I forced myself to join in the chorus. “Say yes, say yes!”

Even my own voice sounded strained to my ears, but no one noticed in the din. Everyone’s eyes were on Ananya.

Ananya suddenly glanced at me, her expression clouded.

For a split second, her gaze found mine. My stomach flipped—did she see right through me?

It was just a flash, but our eyes met—and for a moment, her usual easy smile was gone. I wondered if I’d imagined it.

In the end, she turned him down.

The party noise deflated like a punctured football. Some girls gasped, some boys looked at each other in confusion.

Everyone let out a collective sigh of disappointment.

There were a few awwws and some awkward giggles. Someone muttered, “Ye kya ho gaya?”

Arjun paused, then forced a smile. “It’s okay, let’s just be friends then.”

He gave a lopsided grin, trying to save face, and ruffled his hair, almost like in the Hero No. 1 movies dads watch on Sundays.

He shrugged it off, calling out, “Come on, don’t let it spoil the mood. Eat, drink, have fun!”

He reached for a samosa, stuffing his mouth, and called for the DJ to increase the volume. “Aaj party toh banti hai!” he declared, forcing a laugh.

As if he hadn’t just been rejected in front of everyone.

I couldn’t help but admire his guts and composure.

Arjun managed to get everyone’s spirits up again, even making a self-deprecating joke about his broken heart. I thought, Arrey, this guy really has guts.